At a packed Long Island temple today, Paterson told the crowd he was a son of Israel, adding “I was born in the ancient homeland of Brooklyn.”

A DNA test about six months ago revealed the governor had “two hits of Jewish origin” in his family history, he told congregants at the Hampton Synagogue in Westhampton Beach.

Paterson stopped by the Hampton Synagogue at the request of Rabbi Marc Schneier, a longtime friend. Schneier’s temple has been trying to erect an eruv – a circle of Jewish symbols – around the synagogue over the protests of non-Orthodox residents.

Paterson expressed his support for the eruv, saying he hoped “we can bring tolerance and understanding and compassion” to the Hamptons.